Store front construction



Dec. 7, 1943. l. G. BARcLA-Y STOREv FRONT CONSTRUCTION Filed July SO. 1941 Patented Dec. 7, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE assignments, to Brasco Manufacturing pany, a corporation of Delaware Com- Application July 30, 1941, Serial No. 494,641

3 claims. (ci. 2li-56.4)

My invention relates to store front construe` tion, and has particular reference to a store front construction in which inner and outer sash 'members are employed with spring means for holding the two sash members together in such manner that uniform tension and holding force is exerted upon the glass during the initial setting of the pane in a store front, and also thereafter throughout the life of the store front construction under various conditions of use.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a store front construction in which a spring anchor is employed in cooperation with an inner and outer sash member whereby a cushion tension is exerted on the glass which practically eliminates the danger of breakage of the glass during the setting operation regardless of how reckless the workmen may be, and thereby enables the Workmen to set the glass more quickly and Without the degree of care necessary in setting glass in store fronts where resilient members have been used in such combinations heretofore.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a store front construction in which an elongated spring anchor is employed which spans the space within the sash members and is so shaped that it exerts its force in a plurality of directions and can be placed in the sash member by being snapped into place in the field rather than at the plant, and because of its shape, length and anchorage at two places in the outer sash member tension in the final settingjvof a y glass is distributed throughout the length of the anchor member, decreasing the tendency of the anchor to fatigue and crystallize, thereby losing its elasticity and allowing the glass to become loose in the mounting.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an anchor member of elongated length, so shaped and positioned in the sash members that the glass is held firmly but gently, and when subjected to severe pressures, such as wind pressure or the like, the mounting may flex slightly allowing the glass to move, while maintaining a sufficient pressure on the edge of the glass to hold it in position without danger of breaking, or danger of forming tension areas in the glass itself along which the pane might fracture or break when flexed slightly or subjected to unusual pressure during wind storms and the like.

Two important problems are presented in store front construction which have not been completely solved by structures heretofore manufactured. The` rst of these is the large amount of breakage of lglass during initial installation. In

tightening the sash members against the glass, v

extreme care must be exercised to accurately tension these sash members so that they are substantially uniform throughout their entire length and no excessive pressure is placed at one point over another, or else tension areas are developed in the glass which, upon slight movement of the glass, as in a wind storm, will fracture or break it, rendering the glass unfit for that `particular installation',l y

The second major problem in store front construction is to provide anchor means which will retain uniform pressure and holding power on the glass throughout long periods of service with-v out becoming loose at one particular location and tight in another. In structures heretofore manufactured, particularly where spring anchor means are used, the spring elements are short and fairly stiff and are placed under considerable tension when initially installed. In course of time, these anchors lose their elastic or tension qualities because'they are usually of small area and are subjected to heavy tension, the metal crystallizes and loses its elastic quality, and either breaks or allows the glass to become loose in the sash.

In my improved construction I employ a long anchor member which spans substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the sash so that there is less tension in any particular area of the member Which, in effect, renders the member longer in life and more efcient in operation, and because of the general cushioning effect results in less Vdanger of breakage of glass during the initial setting operation and in service after the installation has been completed.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a clip so constructed thatthe threaded bolt used to draw the sash into position through the anchor will not Work loose in service through vibration of the building'flexing of the glass, changes in temperature, and the like, but will retain the bolt in its original position and prevent its creeping or loosening when set to proper position.

These and other objects of my invention will be more fully and better understood by reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in-

Which- Figure 1 is a sectional view of my improved construction shown in the initial glass setting position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the parts in initial tension position; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional` View similar to Figures 1 and 2, except that the parts are shown in the final position of the setting operation.

Referring now specifically to the drawing and in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, a sill I is shown over which a cap plate II is provided of any desired length, which has its outer edge I2 bent downward over the outer face of the sill I0 and the inner edge I3 bent at right angles to the main body portion of the cap plate II for purposes hereinafter described. 'I'he usual glass I4 is shown, with an outer sash member I5, in a continuous strip of any suitable length, which is bent upon itself in an inward direction along the edge adjacent the cap plate I I, to form a base for the sash member I5 which rests upon the cap plate I'I. A flange I6 is spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the sash member I5, so that a channel I1 is provided extending longitudinally of the sash member I5 adjacent its base.

The glass engaging side of the sash I5 has its edge I8 bent at an angle to provide a face parallel with and for engagement against the glass I4, and has a corner I9 formed on the inner side thereof at the junction of the two arcuate portions of the sash I5. This corner I9 isformed in rolling or extruding operations of the sash I5 by a change in the contours of the different portions of the sash I5. The cross-section contour of the member I5 is substantially two quadrants of a circle, formed in two portions, one of which has a comparatively long radius, while the upper portion is formed on a comparatively short radius, which merges into a section of the sash I5 extending substantially at right angles to the edge I8 so as to provide a substantially straight thrust against the glass I4. The edge of the sash I5 adjacent the glass is stiffened, and at the juncture of the long radius portion and the short radius portion the corner portion I9 is formed for purposes hereinafter described.

A sash member 2| is provided, this member being of elongated form and in cross-section being substantially a block U formation with substantially three equal sides, one side 22 forming a glass engaging portion having the usual channel therein for drainage purposes and the usual glass engaging edge 23 which is fitted against the glass I4. 'I'he bottom 24 of the U forms a wall which is fitted against the sill I0, while the side 25 of the U opposite the side 22 and extending substantially parallel therewith, forms a base for the support of other operating parts hereinafter described, and has a flange 26 at one edge thereof which overlaps the flange I3 on the cap member I I and assists in anchoring the cap member I I in position on the sill I0 and in spacing the wall 25 upward from the sill I0.

Placed at suitable intervals inside of the member 2l are clips 21, these clips having portions 21a and 21h which are substantially doubled upon themselves but spaced apart a slight distance, with threaded aligned openings through the portions 21a and 2lb through which a screw 28 passes. The clips 21 have legs 29 and 38 and are held in position by the usual screws which pass through the leg 29, the wall 24 of the sash and into the sill Ill, so that they are held in fixed position. The leg is fitted into a channel formed in the under side of the member 2 I which has an opening 3| therein through which the screw 28 is inserted in the clip 21 during the installation of the glass I4 in the store front mounting. The portions 21a and 21h of the clips 21 are angularly disposed as is the threaded member 28, which when tightened is canted slightly to one side thereby exerting a downward thrust on the threads at one side of the member 28 and an upward thrust on the other side of this member. The portions 21a and 21h are placed under stress and because these portions are spaced and slightly elastic they perform a function somewhat similar to a lock nut, so that when the threaded member is turned down to its nal position it is substantially locked in place and will not back up or become loose due to vibration or the like.

A resilient anchor 32 is provided which cooperates with the threaded member 28 in holding the sash I5 in clamped position against the glass I4. This anchor 32 is normally U-shaped, with an elongated leg 33 spanning the cross distance of the sash members I5 and 2|, and has an angularly turned end 34 which extends into the channel I1 of the sash I5 and engages the flange I6. The other leg of the U extends parallel with the leg 33 for approximately one-half of its length and is then turned at an angle into substantially the form of the letter C, the base of which normally rests in the leg 33 when the anchor 32 is not under tension. These leg portions are joined together by a vertical portion 35 and the leg 33 is supported by the Wall 24 at 36 at one of its ends and by the flange I6 at its opposite end, with the C portion of the leg having an angularly disposed end 31 which is fitted against the inner face of the flange I8 on the sash I5. The anchor 32 is so positioned that when placed under tension by the screw 28 an inward pull is exerted against the flange I6 along one edge of the outer glass engaging member I5, while spring tension is also exerted upon the edge I8 of the sash member I5. The leg portion 33 of the spring 32 spans the space under the edge of the glass I4 and also supports the other leg portion when the spring 32 is placed under tension. The upper end. of the C portion of the spring 32 rests against the shoulder I9, this end being frictionally held in position along the inner side of the upper end of the member I5. The web portion 35 of the U-shaped anchor member is of sufllcient length so that when the screw 28 is tightened the spring 32 is flexed, placing the spring 32 under tension and holding the sash members in xed proper position to hold the glass I4 securely and firmly in place.

In operation of the device, the initial step of setting up, particularly of the member 32, is shown in Figure l. The glass I4 is put into position and the spring 32 is placed under the screw 28. Upon tightening of the screw 28, the leg portion of the member 32 under the screw 28 is initially flexed downward, bringing the leg portions into substantial engagement with each other intermediate their ends. The leg portion 33 is also flexed downward and at the' same time it acts as a fulcrum for the spring portion 32. anchor, an inward thrust is developed on the flange I8 of the sash, bringing the sash into engagement with the glass I4 in a gentle manner but firmly. Continued turning of the screw 28 causes an inward pull to be exerted on the sash I5, bringing the structure substantially in the position shown in Figure 2. In this position the sash members I5 and 2| are fitted firmly against the glass I4 and the whole structure is under initial tension sufficient to hold the glass I4 in position during the final setting operation.

In the final setting operation the screw 28 Due to the flexing of these portions of thev is turned dov/n until it is substantially in the position shown in Figure 3, in which case the leg portions of the member 32 are brought into sub,- stantial engagement with one another for a considerable part of the distance along the member i3, which is iiexed downward and slightly adds its resistance to the holding power of the anchor member. The upper end of the C portion of the member 32 is drawn downward slightly away from the inner contour of the portion 29 of the sash l substantially into the position shown in Figure 3, in which position the spring tension of the member 32 is inward with a tendency to pull the base of the member l5 inward. Due, however, to a slight increase in the length of the leg 33 because it has been flexed to substantially horizontal position, the inward thrust is proportionately relieved and the main thrust is down against the cap plate ii, providing for a tight joint at this point. Likewise, because of the spring pressure on the leg portion of the member 32, adequate force is maintained against the member 20 to hold the upper end of the member in tight frictional engagement against the glass i4. Due to the elongated character of the member i3, tension under this member is distributed throughout such a great amount of metal that crystallization of the metal is prevented. Due also to the fact that the anchor is quite long, it is impossible for workmen to tighten the screws down tightly enough to break the glass during its initial setting. When installed, the whole structure has such elasticity that slight movement of the glass between the sash members is permitted while maintaining sufficient pressure on these members to hold the glass in position.

It will also be understood that because of the expansion force of the spring anchor member, these anchor members can be shipped separately from the sash members and installed by the workmen at the place of installation of the store front without the use of tools for this purpose. This condition is particularly desirable in tting the sash member into openings of varying dimensions, because the sash can be cut to suitab-le lengths and the anchors spaced accordingly. If the rear clip is not aligned properly, the rear sash can be punctured to provide openings for the screw 28 and the anchor members placed at or near the ends of the sash members, a result which is not possible with sashes as now manufactured, Where the anchor members are spaced and secured permanently to the sash in the shop where such sash members are manufactured.

While I have described more or less precisely the details of construction, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form and the proportion of parts and the substitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A store front construction comprising in combination, an outer sash member and an inner sash member adapted to receive a glass pane therebetween, said inner sash member having an angularly disposed portion at the base thereof, a flexible anchor member having a U-shaped portion with the two legs thereof in spaced relation with each other and normally merging toward each other from the Web of said U-shaped portion, the free ends of said anchor member being secured to the outer sash member, one of said ends fixedly engaging the base oi said outer sash member and the other end yieidingly engaging the portion of said outer sash member which engages the glass pane and said first-mentioned end extending from one of said legs and combining therewith to form an element which spans the space between the outer and inner sash members and is supported at its ends only and serves as a support for the other leg when the anchor member is flexed, a clip adjacent to said inner sash member, and a threaded member in said clip for engagement with said other leg of Said U-shaped portion adjacent to the web thereof to Iiex said last-mentioned leg whereby said other end connected with said last-mentioned leg acts upon the outer sash member to bring it into resilient gripping engagement with the glass pane.

2. Store front construction comprising in combination with a sill, an outer sash member and an inner sash member adapted to receive a glass pane therebetween, an integrally formed iiexible anchor member comprising two main reentrant flexible portions terminating in free ends with one of said ends adapted to exert a pressing action urging said outer sash member against the glass pane while the other free end is in engagement with the base of said outer sash member t0 provide a support for said anchor member at said last-mentioned end, the junction of said main portions resting upon a part of said inner sash member, the portion of said anchor member bridging said two points of support being substantially unsupported and free to flex transversely, a clip mounted on said inner sash member, and a screw threaded in said clip adapted to engage the portion of said anchor member terminating in said first end thereby to flex said last-mentioned portion to produce a yielding gripping engagement of the glass pane and the other portion of said anchor member into resilient supporting position foi` said first portion.

3. Store front construction comprising in combination with a sill, an outer sash member resting on said sill and an inner sash member attached to said sill, adapted to receive a glass pane therebetween, an integrally formed flexible anchor member comprising two main reentrant flexible portions terminating in free ends with one of said ends adapted to exert a pressing action urging said outer sash member against the glass pane while the `other free end is in engagement with the base of said outer sash member to provide a support for said anchor member at said last-mentioned end and a retainer for said outer sash member, the junction of said main portions of said anchor member resting upon a part of said inner sash member, the portion of said anchor member bridging said two points of support being substantially unsupported and free to flex transversely, a clip mounted on said inner sash member comprising a pair of folded slightly spaced elastic portions having threaded openings, and a screw threaded in said opening adapted to engage the portion of said anchor member terminating in said first end thereby to flex said last-mentioned portion to produce a yielding gripping engagement of Ithe glass pane and the other portion of said anchor member into resilient supporting position for said first portion, said spaced elastic portions of said clip operating as a locknut for said screw in the operative engagement of said screw with said flexible anchor member.

IVAR G. BARCLAY. 

